National park · United States
Land Between the Lakes National Recreation AreaLand Between the Lakes
Entry to Land Between the Lakes is free — no gate fee, you pay only for camping, the Elk and Bison Prairie loop and the Homeplace. Drive the 43-mile Trace north to south, walk the Canal Loop or Hematite Lake, and go April–May or September–October to dodge summer heat and hunting-season closures.
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- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
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Area
688 km² (266 sq mi)266 sq mi (688 km²)
approximate
Established
1963
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 688 km² (266 sq mi)266 sq mi (688 km²)
- About 170,000 acres (roughly 690 km²) between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley; the boundary is the lakeshore, so figures vary slightly by source (check).
- Established
- 1963
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Land Between the Lakes is a 170,000-acre peninsula the federal government bought between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, then handed to the Forest Service in 1998. There is no gate and no entrance fee: you pay only at the Elk and Bison Prairie, the Homeplace, the Woodlands Nature Station and the campgrounds. The 43-mile Woodlands Trace runs the length of it, with the Canal Loop and Hematite Lake as the easy walks, the 58-mile North South Trail as the long one, and the 26-mile Fort Henry system in the south following Grant's 1862 route. April–May and September–October are the walking months; most attractions shut from 1 December to the end of February, and firearms deer season in November–December means blaze orange in the backcountry.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1963.
Size and age
688 km² (266 sq mi)266 sq mi (688 km²) · national park since 1963
About 170,000 acres (roughly 690 km²) between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley; the boundary is the lakeshore, so figures vary slightly by source (check).
Why go
- A 40-mile strip of oak-hickory forest and limestone valleys with two big lakes on either side — you can swim, fish or paddle in the morning and hike a ridge in the afternoon.
- Over 200 miles of hiking trails, from a 0.2-mile paved loop to the 58-mile North South Trail, so a family and a thru-hiker can both find a route.
- The Elk and Bison Prairie is a drive-through 700-acre enclosure where bison and elk graze close to the road, no walking required.
- The Homeplace is a working 1850s farm with staff in period dress — the history of the valley that was cleared to make the lakes.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecAvoid
- JanCold, bare woods; many facilities closed
- FebCold and wet; quiet
- MarWelcome stations reopen 1 March; unstable weather
- AprMild, dogwoods and redbuds out; campgrounds open
- MayWarm, green, water still cool
- JunHot and humid; ticks and poison ivy thick
- JulHottest month; start hikes before 9:00Hottest month; start hikes before 9:00 AM
- AugHot; lake swimming at its best
- SepCooling down, fewer people after Labor Day
- OctDry, clear, best walking; some facilities close 31 Oct
- NovWelcome stations open weekdays only; deer season starts
- DecMost attractions closed 1 Dec–end Feb
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bison and elk (Elk and Bison Prairie)All year · Open year round, dawn to dusk; early morning and evening are the most active. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Migratory waterfowl at Hematite and Honker lakesMar–Apr, Oct–Nov · Spring and autumn migration; bring binoculars. | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no |
| White-tailed deerAll year · Common along The Trace at dawn and dusk — slow down. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Ticks and poison ivyMay–Sep · Abundant in the woods; long trousers and a tick check after every walk. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Firearms deer season (wear blaze orange)Nov–Dec · Dates move each year; check the LBL hunting calendar before hiking in the backcountry. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Nashville
I-24 northwest to the Grand Rivers / US 62 exit, then south on The Trace to the North Welcome Station.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Paducah
I-24 east to Grand Rivers, then The Trace south.
45 min–1 h
From Memphis
I-40 east then US 79 or I-24 to the south end near Dover, Tennessee.
3.5–4 h
From St. Louis
I-64 east then I-24 southeast to Grand Rivers.
3.5–4 h
From Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park
10 min south to the North Welcome Station on The Trace.
10 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| North end (Grand Rivers / Canal Loop) | Hillman Ferry Campground, North Welcome Station, the Canal Loop trail system and the canal that links the two lakes. | Open; welcome station staffed 1 March–30 November. |
| Central (Golden Pond / The Trace) | Golden Pond Visitor Center and Planetarium, Elk and Bison Prairie, Energy Lake Campground, the Homeplace. | Open year round; some attractions closed 1 December–end February. |
| Woodlands Nature Station area | Honker Lake, Hematite Lake, Center Furnace ruins and five short trails. | Open daily 1 April–31 October; Wednesday–Sunday in March and November. |
| South end (Dover / Fort Henry) | Piney Campground, South Welcome Station and the Fort Henry trail system on the Civil War route to Fort Donelson. | Open; welcome station staffed 1 March–30 November. |
| Turkey Bay OHV Area | Over 100 miles of off-highway vehicle trail and lakeshore camping. | Permit and waiver required. |
Sketch map
- 1North Welcome Station · Gate≈36.978, -88.203On The Trace just south of Grand Rivers; staffed 1 March–30 November.Map ↗
- 2Hillman Ferry Campground · Sleep≈36.933, -88.190Approximate; north end of LBL.Map ↗
- 3Golden Pond Visitor Center · Headquarters≈36.778, -88.063At the junction of US 68 and The Trace.Map ↗
- 4Elk and Bison Prairie · Viewpoint≈36.781, -88.065North of the visitor center on The Trace; dawn to dusk.Map ↗
- 5Woodlands Nature Station · Headquarters≈36.901, -88.036Approximate; off Mulberry Flat Road, north of Golden Pond.Map ↗
- 6The Homeplace · Village≈36.656, -87.97412 miles south of Golden Pond on The Trace.Map ↗
- 7South Welcome Station · Gate≈36.521, -87.920On The Trace, 5 miles north of Dover, Tennessee.Map ↗
- 8Piney Campground · Sleep≈36.500, -87.950Approximate; south end of LBL near Fort Henry.Map ↗
- 9Turkey Bay OHV Area · Trail≈36.830, -88.100Approximate; permit and waiver required.Map ↗
Take the points offline
9 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate, taken from the visitor centres and main attractions along The Trace, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry to the recreation area | Free | vehicle | No gate fee on The Trace or at the welcome stations. |
| Elk and Bison Prairie (3.5-mile drive loop) | US$5 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; cash or card at the self-pay box (check). |
| The Homeplace (1850s working farm) | US$5–7 | person | 2026 estimate; children and seniors lower (check). |
| Woodlands Nature Station | US$5–7 | person | 2026 estimate (check). |
| Golden Pond Planetarium show | US$5–8 | person | 2026 estimate; separate from visitor-centre entry, which is free (check). |
| Backcountry camping permit | US$0–10 | permit | Free if you camp along the three long-distance trails; otherwise a 3-night or annual permit (check). |
| Developed campground (Energy Lake, Hillman Ferry, Piney) | US$20–40 | night | 2026 estimate; electric, water and sewer sites cost more (check). |
| Turkey Bay OHV permit | US$10–25 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; rider must sign a liability waiver (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Backcountry camping permit or guide
Turkey Bay OHV riding permit or guide
Hunting permit or guide
Fishing permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$5
- US$5–7
- US$5–7
- US$5–8
- US$20–40
- US$10–25
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area — official site (US Forest Service) before you go.
Park rules
- No alcohol sales inside LBL
- There is nowhere to buy alcohol in the recreation area; the bordering Kentucky counties of Lyon, Marshall and Trigg are wet, as is Henry County, Tennessee.
- No food service inside LBL
- Only vending machines. Bring your own food or eat in Grand Rivers, Aurora, Gilbertsville, Murray, Dover or Paris.
- No gas inside LBL
- Fill up in a surrounding town before you drive in; the Trace is 43 miles with no fuel.
- Backcountry camping
- Permit required for overnight stays; no camping in cemeteries, developed areas or within 200 yards of a road; 14-night maximum.
- Hunting
- Hunter Use Permit plus state licence; quota draws for firearms deer and the first days of spring turkey.
- Pets
- Allowed on most trails on a leash; not permitted in the Elk and Bison Prairie enclosure or inside the Homeplace buildings (check).
Where to stay
In the park
Hillman Ferry Campground
378 sites at the north end, tents to large motor homes; water only 1 April–31 October.
In the park
Energy Lake Campground
48 sites in the centre, 35 with electric hookups, plus a swimming beach and canoe rental.
In the park
Piney Campground
384 sites at the south end, 281 with electric hookups and 9 primitive cabins.
In the park
Wranglers Campground
Equestrian campground with shelters, showers and guided trail rides; open 1 April–31 October.
In the park
Backcountry sites
Allowed across most of LBL with a permit; free along the three long-distance trails.
Near the park
Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park
Lodge, cottages and a marina about 10 minutes from the North Welcome Station.
Near the park
Grand Rivers, Aurora, Gilbertsville, Murray, Dover, Paris
Motels, B&Bs and rental cabins in the towns around the lakes.
Safety
Getting lost on backcountry trails high
Summer heat and humidity medium
Hunting season medium
Ticks and poison ivy medium
Storms medium
No fuel or phone signal in places low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Long Creek National Recreational Trail is a 0.2-mile paved loop near the Woodlands Nature Station, accessible to visitors with physical disabilities.
- The Elk and Bison Prairie is a drive-through loop — no walking needed to see the herds.
- The Homeplace, welcome stations and Golden Pond Visitor Center have paved paths and accessible parking.
- The Trace is a paved 43-mile byway with pull-offs; most short trails near the nature station are flat but unpaved.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out everything — there is no rubbish collection on the backcountry trails.
- Stay on marked trails; shortcutting causes erosion on the steep limestone slopes.
- Keep a full car distance from bison and elk in the prairie and never leave the vehicle.
- Buy supplies in Grand Rivers, Dover or Murray so the gateway towns keep benefiting from the recreation area.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area?
Nothing. There is no entrance fee and no gate on The Trace or at the welcome stations. You pay only for specific attractions and activities: the Elk and Bison Prairie drive loop (about $5 per vehicle, 2026 estimate), the Homeplace and Woodlands Nature Station (about $5–7 per person, 2026 estimate), planetarium shows, campground fees, the Turkey Bay OHV permit and backcountry camping permits. Backcountry permits are free if you camp along the three long-distance trails.
What are the best hikes in Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area?
For a short, easy walk, the 2.2-mile Hematite Lake Trail and the 1-mile Woodland Walk near the Woodlands Nature Station are the best introduction, and the 0.2-mile paved Long Creek Trail is accessible. The Canal Loop at the north end gives lake views in anything from 1.5 to 14 miles. For a full day or a multi-day trip, the 58-mile North South Trail runs the length of LBL and the 26-mile Fort Henry system in the south follows Grant's Civil War route.
When is the best time to visit Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area?
April, May, September and October. Spring brings mild weather and blooming dogwoods; autumn is dry and clear with the best walking. June to August is hot and humid, so start hikes before 9:00. Most attractions and welcome stations close from 1 December to the end of February, and firearms deer season in November and December means wearing blaze orange if you go into the backcountry.
Do I need a pass or permit to visit LBL?
No pass is needed to drive in or hike. Permits are required for backcountry camping (free along the long-distance trails), Turkey Bay OHV riding, and hunting, which also needs a Kentucky or Tennessee licence. Fishing needs a state licence for whichever lake you are on. See the national park passes page if you are also visiting fee-charging parks on the same trip.
Can I see bison and elk?
Yes. The Elk and Bison Prairie is a 700-acre enclosure with a 3.5-mile one-way drive loop, open year round from dawn to dusk. Stay in your vehicle, keep a full car distance and let the animals have right of way. Early morning and late afternoon are the most active times.
Where can I eat and sleep inside LBL?
There is no food service and no lodging inside the recreation area — only vending machines and campgrounds. Bring your own food, or eat in Grand Rivers, Aurora, Gilbertsville, Murray, Dover or Paris. Camp at Hillman Ferry, Energy Lake, Piney or Wranglers, or stay in a lodge or cabin at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park about 10 minutes from the North Welcome Station.
Is there gas or alcohol inside the recreation area?
No. There is no fuel and no alcohol sales anywhere in LBL. Fill your tank in a surrounding town before you enter, and buy drinks in the wet Kentucky counties of Lyon, Marshall or Trigg, in Murray, or in Henry County, Tennessee.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialLand Between the Lakes National Recreation Area — official site (US Forest Service)
- officialUS Forest Service — Land Between the Lakes
- secondaryWikipedia — Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
- secondaryWikivoyage: Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, revision 5211784 (CC BY-SA 4.0)